The cave was silent, but it felt like the night was loud. No one spoke for a long time. Peter, the first to react, looked at Xaidon, trying to find any trace of humor. After a while, he got up and reached for their bag. He pulled out some dried meat and handed some to Skylar and Xaidon. They ate in silence, and when they were finally finished, Peter sighed. "Can you please explain?"
Xaidon looked at him for a moment and began his story. He told him about his father and how he met his mother. How his father would leave his empire and stay with them for a few weeks, maybe months. How his father took care of them and how they lived like a normal family. He told them how his father made sure to keep both his mother and himself a secret from the world. How his father also wanted a normal life.
He then explained how a great knight came and gave them the news of his father's death. He told them how he and his mother were taken to see him one last time before he died. He then explained how his father wanted him to be safe and free from the politics of the world. But the fourth prince, fearing for his throne, captured him and killed his mother.
He told them how he was sent to underground cells and tortured for almost two years, trying to control his Qi as his father had taught him. He didn't mention the snake, feeling it was all part of his imagination. He told them how he waited and planned his escape for two years.
When Peter heard that Xaidon spent two years in that place, he felt a shiver. He had only spent at most five months there and still had bad dreams and was nearly broken. Even Skylar was shocked, as she couldn't imagine going through that much pain for two years. The two looked at Xaidon with newfound admiration for his willpower and endurance. As the story reached its climax, he took some water and paused.
"I will first get my revenge on Alexander for taking my mother's life." Xaidon said with a cold gaze and shaky hands. "Then I will destroy the entire Kin Clan. And finally, find my brother."
Peter glanced at him for a moment. "And then what?"
"I will ask him why he wanted me dead." Xaidon paused. "And then I will decide what to do from there. Either kill him or…"
"Or what?" Skylar asked out of curiosity.
Xaidon looked at her for a moment before taking a deep breath. "I don't know…I will most likely kill him either way."
The three sat in silence again, and Peter looked at Skylar. "What about you? Is there something you wanna tell us too?"
Skylar stayed quiet for a while before chuckling. "No, there is nothing I can tell you now that will change how I feel about the Kin Clan."
With nothing else to say, the three now had time to think. After a while, Peter pulled out an old map. He placed it on the ground and opened it. "Well, since everything is done, we should focus on the task at hand. We first have to get stronger if we want to get rid of that clan."
They then looked at the map. Peter began to explain as he pointed. "This is the general area of the tomb. We are not far from it, so we should be able to reach there in two days. Now, the good news is that the tomb has a front door and a back door, so we should be able to find our way out if we get to the end. The bad news is we don't know exactly what is inside that tomb, so we are going in blind."
As he spoke, he mentioned possible rewards they could gain—armor, spell books, herbs for Qi building, and maybe even the way to become a King rank. It was said that the king liked to write and had a journal, so perhaps he had recorded the locations of other valuables. They decided to travel at sunrise the next day.
Xaidon volunteered to take the first watch. He sat around the fire for a long time, thinking about the journey ahead. He knew it would be harsh and painful, but he needed to take his revenge and finally find peace in his heart. The night persisted, and finally, Peter was awakened before Xaidon could wake him. Before he went to sleep, Peter spoke. "I want you to know something."
Xaidon looked at him and listened. "I will always stand by your side, even after the Kin Clan has been destroyed. I mean, it's not like I have a better place to go."
Xaidon chuckled and looked at Peter. "You know, if I decide to kill my brother, the entire empire will be after me, right?"
Peter laughed a little. "We plan on taking out the Kin Clan. Don't you think we'll already be chased down?"
Xaidon shook his head. "You don't get it. Unlike the Kin Clan, the fourth prince has six other brothers who were born and raised with him. They won't spare any resource in trying to end my life."
Peter smiled. "Good, at least I will have a purpose in life."
Xaidon frowned, thinking Peter wasn't taking this seriously enough, but before he could speak, Peter beat him to it. "I understand what you're trying to say, I really do. But I just killed my parents in cold blood, so trust me when I say I really need a purpose right now."
"They didn't treat you right and needed to be dealt with — don't blame yourself." Xaidon said, trying to sound supportive.
Peter laughed a little. "I know, and I don't blame myself. However, they were still my parents, and they were the ones who taught me how to walk, how to eat, how to speak, and even how to relieve myself properly. So, whatever is said about them, I will always proudly say they were my parents."
Xaidon looked down and sighed. "And now you can always look at me and say I am your brother."
Peter stared at Xaidon for a moment before smiling. "Go to sleep. We have a big day tomorrow."